Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 2026

Online Consumer Connect is operated by Ritchie Short, doing business as Online Consumer Connect, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I respect your privacy and collect only what's needed to run this site.

Information you give me

Contact form: when you send a message, I receive your name, email address, and message so I can reply. Messages are delivered to me by email through a secure email-sending service. I don't add you to any mailing list.

Comments: when you leave a comment, the site stores your name, email address, website (if you enter one), comment, and your IP address, which helps detect spam. Your email address is never shown publicly.

Gravatar

If you comment, a scrambled version of your email address (a "hash") may be sent to the Gravatar service to check whether you have a profile picture. Gravatar's privacy policy is available at automattic.com/privacy.

Spam protection

Forms and comments on this site are protected from spam and automated abuse by Cloudflare Turnstile. Turnstile may collect limited information about your device and browser to tell people from automated bots. Its use is subject to Cloudflare's Privacy Policy.

Site security and statistics

This site uses Jetpack, a service from Automattic, for security and basic visitor statistics, such as which pages are visited. This information is collected in aggregate and isn't used to identify you personally.

My web host, HostGator, keeps standard server logs, such as IP addresses and pages requested, for security and performance.

Amazon and affiliate links

When you click an Amazon link on this site, Amazon may set cookies in your browser so a qualifying purchase can be credited to this site. I don't receive your personal or purchase details, only a report of total orders and commissions. Amazon's privacy practices are described in the Amazon Privacy Notice.

Cookies

This site uses a small number of cookies, for example to remember your name and email if you choose that option when commenting, and to keep the site running smoothly. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some features may not work without them.

How long information is kept

Comments and their details are kept as long as the comment stays on the site. Contact messages are kept only as long as needed to respond and for my records.

Your choices

You can ask to see, correct, or delete any personal information I hold about you, such as your comments or messages. Just contact me using the link below.

What I don't do

I don't sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

Children's privacy

This site is intended for adults and isn't directed to children under 13. I don't knowingly collect information from children.

Changes to this policy

If this site's tools or practices change, I'll update this page. The date at the top shows when it was last revised.